1To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson and Andrew Ellicott, 9 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Should the office of Superintendant of the military stores of the United States, created by an Act of Congress passed the 2d of April 1794, and now held by Mr. Harris , become vacant; we would take the liberty of recommending Mr. George Ingel, of this place, as a suitable person for that office. For several years during our revolutionary war , and till the close of it, he served in a similar...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 8 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Relying on your known goodness—I have taken the liberty of thus introducing the bearer, Mr. John Woodside, who wishes for this opportunity of paying you his personal homage and respects.— He is a man of the strictest integrity, & most exemplary morals— was an officer, and served with great reputation, in the Pennsylvania line, during our revolutionary war—Has now for many years been a clerk in...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 19 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The art of secret writing, or, as it is usually termed, writing in cypher , has occasionally engaged the attention both of the states-man & philosopher for many ages; and yet I believe it will be acknowledged, by all who are acquainted with the present state of this art, that it is still far short of perfection. A perfect cypher, as it appears to me, should possess the following properties.—...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 12 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your favour of the 22d Ult. and feel, with a lively sense, the obligation I am under for the interest you were pleased to take in behalf of my friend, though the appointment has fallen on another worthy gentleman of the same name. I am not a little flattered with the notice you have taken of my cypher—Your alteration will certainly very much facilitate the labour of...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 17 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour, a few days ago , of mentioning to you an interesting experiment which Mr. R. Peale had exhibited before a number of citizens; namely, the depuration of foul or putrid water, by simple filtration through sponge, sand, & charcoal;—that he had also succeeded in an attempt to render salt water fresh, and that he was preparing to make the experiment with true sea-water—He has this...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 24 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to the directions in your favour of the 17th I am getting a stand made for the sextant , and the whole will be carefully packed up, and, by Mr. Roberts, sent on, by water, in the course of a few days. With respect to the cypher, when applied to a single word or line, I would observe, that in strict conformity with the general system, each letter must, in this case, be considered as a...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 1 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not till the day before yesterday that, upon coming to the city, I received your favour of the 16th. ulto; and this must be my apology for not replying sooner. The usual course with the Phil. Socy. is to refer every communication to a committee, who report their opinion to the socy, merely on the propriety of publishing the communication in their Transactions: but neither the Socy, nor...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 15 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 2d. and thank you for your confidence, which I will never abuse—I am preparing a set of astronomical formulæ for Mr. L. and will, with the greatest pleasure, render him every assistance in my power—I take the liberty of subjoining the formula which I commonly use for computing the longitude from the common lunar observation, illustrated by an...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 18 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recommended to Capt. Lewis, the use of a statistical Table , in which to set down his Astronomical observations, in the course of his intended expedition; as an expedient that would save a great deal of time, and be productive of many other obvious advantages. I had proposed to draw him out a sketch of such a table, but an unusual hurry of business prevented me, while he was in the city—I...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 18 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding from the Secretary at War to Dr. Hunter of this expedition is fitting out for the purpose of exp of the rivers &c of Louisiana, I hope it will not be as officious in me to recommend to your notice a ge ntleman, who I am persuaded would do no dishonour to any appointment which you might think proper to give him, either in this or in any other similar undertaking. The gentleman I...